As I write this, a pineapple express is pumping warm air into southwestern B.C. and the balmy 15 degree weather is inducing the Pacific wrens to sing their exuberant song from the forest under-storey. Normally wrens do not sing in November, but they do sing occasionally even on warm mid-winter days before they really burst into song in February. It’s always nice to hear real birdsong in the winter!
The first swans were noted overflying the Coast on Oct. 24 (by Sue Hayer) and more will pass by during November. Most swans on the Sunshine Coast are trumpeter swans, the world’s heaviest flying bird. The goose migration is now over after a massive snow goose migration this year. Thousands of the birds are now feeding in the Fraser delta and observers have reported a large percentage of the greyer juvenile birds, which indicates that the species had a productive nesting season on their breeding grounds on Wrangell Island in Siberia. A flock of 20 juvenile snow geese was roosting on the playing field at Hackett Park in Sechelt, on Nov. 3.
At the jetty in Roberts Creek a snow bunting was located by Jerry Rolls on Nov. 1. This abundant Prairie wintering species is uncommon in coastal B.C. When John Hodges went to see this bird he then found a palm warbler at the same location. Palm warblers are regular but rare winter residents along the Pacific coast with most wintering in southeastern U.S. The warbler has been present at this location for a week now, and past history suggests it may stay longer. In 2015 a palm warbler was present for weeks within a small area at the Royal Terraces on the waterfront in Sechelt.
The chum salmon are now running in some of our local creeks. Joe Harrison reported 5,000 in Anderson Creek in Pender Harbour, and fish can be observed going up the ladder in Sargeant Bay Provincial Park. Watch for American dippers in association with the salmon runs, especially at Roberts Creek, as they feast on the salmon eggs.
With sightings or questions, contact Tony at 604-885-5539 or [email protected]
